Oct. 30, 2012

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the University of South Carolina Women’s NCAA Outdoor Track and Field title that they secured in Baton Rouge, La., on June 1, 2002. The NCAA Championship was the school’s first-ever team title in any sport for the Gamecocks. Thirteen members of the squad combined to earn 128 All-American honors over the course of their collegiate careers.

In the weeks leading up to the All-Sports Reunion, GamecocksOnline.com will feature members of the 2002 NCAA Championship team.

Lisa Barber
Class of 2002; Retail Management major, Business minor

Birthplace: Montclair, N.J.
Current Home: Woodland Hills, Calif.

Currently…I’m still competing and running professional track. I’m going into my 11th year. I’ve started my own jewelry line, The Honey Collection. I also am a personal trainer and just started another company called MB Fitness.

Visit Lisa and her twin sister Miki Barber’s website here .

Athletic Accomplishments:
As a Gamecock:

• 14-time All-American
• NCAA Champion

After South Carolina

• 2003 World Championships 4x400m gold medalist
• 2005 US Championships – 100m champion
• 2005 World Championships – 4x100m gold medalist

NCAA Memories
Event(s) competed in at the NCAA’s:

• 2002 Outdoor – 4x100m (Whipple, Washington, L. Barber, Bailey) (43.12, Fourth fastest team in Gamecock history)
• 400m dash (2nd)
• 200m (5th)

Favorite NCAA Championships Memory: When I got second place in the 400m because I was supposed to maybe get a point, if I even scored at all. I placed second and PR’d by almost a second and a half. I did something that I didn’t think I could do and no one else thought I could do. It was really important to me.

South Carolina Memories
Favorite South Carolina Memory: There’s not just one thing, it’s the camaraderie we had as a team. There were so many great athletes, a lot of great friends, good people, people I’ll never forget. It was also the coaches and professors. It’s just the feeling of being in college. It was having fun in the dorms, going to class and meeting new people. It really was just the whole college experience. I learned a lot academically. I really cherish and enjoy those moments in college.

Why did you choose South Carolina? When I met Coach Frye, the other coaches and a lot of the girls and guys that were already there, I felt a good sense of stability and family. We went to church with Coach Frye. I felt comfortable. I knew there was a good freshman class coming in and I knew we could make the school and team better. I felt a sense of comfort and knew I was going to excel there. It was just a good fit. I knew I would do well on and off the track.

What are you most looking forward to about coming back to Columbia? Coming to the football game. We went to all the games when I was there, but we’re really good now. It will be exciting to see them play and to be at the game. It will be exciting to be back on campus and see how it’s evolved. I look forward to seeing old teammates and coaches and seeing how everybody has progressed. And I’m excited to just enjoy myself at USC.

Then | Now
No one knows this about me: I like leopard print | I write poetry
Favorite Athlete: Michael Jordan| Michael Jordan
Favorite Movie: Pretty Woman | Sweet November
Person you admire most: Miki Barber | Parents
Greatest athletic thrill: Penn Relays | Winning 100m at the US Champions in 2005

The members of the 2002 NCAA Championship team will be honored in Columbia, S.C., on Nov. 9 and 10 as a part of the All-Sports Reunion.